General Ideas About Rhetoric
Ⅰ．The definition ＆ understanding of rhetoric
A．Dictionary definition: the art of using words (1) in speaking or writing
B．The definition in this lecture:
—the art of harnessing reason, etc. , through language
—the persuasion and convincing of an audience
(a) to act
(b) to (2)
(c) to identify with given values
C．Rhetoric in political events: to manipulate
Ⅱ．Rhetoric in history
A．In ancient (3)
—a use of words
—a manipulation of words
B．Aristotle’s discussion on rhetoric as means of (4)
—an appeal to emotions
—an appeal to the character of the speaker
C．In the Middle Ages: being one of the main subjects of the (5)
D．In the Renaissance: the application of rhetorical principles to (6)
Ⅲ．Later development of rhetoric
A．Negative (7) were taken on.
—a focus on the words themselves
—ignore intonations or large, bold type
B．In an English class, one is encouraged to (8)
—how the words were pronounced
—how the way they were laid out on the page might (9) the meaning of the text
C．New definition of rhetoric today
—the proficiency in the use of language
—the knowledge of how to use graphic and other element to (10) the verbal meaning of a message
D．Rhetoric of visual art:
—the coordination of words with other nonverbal elements
—purpose: the effective use of language